Cox return boosts Essex in T20 Blast

Essex batter Jordan Cox is set to play his first game for the club this season when they meet his former side Kent Spitfires in the T20 Blast on Tuesday.

Cox has returned to Chelmsford after playing two games for England Lions against South Africa A on Friday and Sunday.

It was his first action since February, having failed to make an appearance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 Indian Premier League.

Essex will be hoping Cox can now spend a few weeks finding form in the Blast and the County Championship, having missed out on an England Test cap last summer because of injury.

Seam bowler Sam Cook, meanwhile, remains unavailable after suffering a fracture in his wrist during a training session last month.

"He is working closely with our medical team as he goes through rehabilitation and recovery," the club said.

Essex are second in South Group, having won three of their five Blast games so far - including a 60-run win over Middlesex on Sunday at Northwood.

A stand of 133 between two of their younger batters, Charlie Allison and Luc Benkenstein - who made 61 and 67 respectively - was key to victory.

"We kind of assessed it was going to be tricky out there, especially with the hard ball and the potential for swing," Allison told BBC Essex. "You have to absorb as much as you can and then find a bowler that you can go after and back yourselves to be able to catch up.

"Luc is an unbelievable striker of a cricket ball and can go through the gears very quickly, which is why having him at four is so great for us, especially on a pitch where maybe the dimensions are a bit smaller and he can clear the ropes with ease."